Gwen has been living a life of duty and responsibility. Her first Alliance assignment was as an Enforcer, her next the polar opposite, Matchmaker. She has fought rabid crowds with ease and control, but facing an endless supply of bridezillas is too much to handle when her old boss comes knocking.
Etien Mathijen has pulled in every favour he was owed to get his true mate to his planet in a capacity where he can court her. Now he just has to get her cooperation and they will be able to live happily ever after. With her mind on duty and responsibility, can he crack her shell of reserve in time to save her from her own mindless obedience?
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Gwen Steryio took three strides into the riot and sent out a bio-pulse. In seconds, only the constabulary who carried the tiny pulse-blockers were standing.
"Enforcer Steryio, well done."
"Thank you, Commander Mathijen. It is a shame that I am being reassigned. The people of this world were very easy to subdue." She grinned at the multi-shifter and let some of her regret leach into her eyes.
She had enjoyed her time on the riot patrol. The protestors were fighting against increased trade with the Alliance and most of them didn't even know what it actually entailed. Fear mongers and the religious right had taken over the media outlets leaving panic in their wake.
The rioters would be given a complete list of trade items being sent into the Alliance, most of which were considered garbage by the Elek population.
"They may have been easy for you to subdue, but we will send our thanks to the Citadel once again for your particular skill set. Few could knock out two hundred with only minor injuries and no toxins involved."
It was nice to be acknowledged, especially by the striking man in front of her. She had harboured a crush on him since the day she had been assigned.
"Thanks. I have no idea what they are going to shape me into."
He chuckled. "I know that feeling."
That surprised her. "You were trained at the Citadel?"
He laughed. "No, but I was given my multi-shifter training. We had a new assignment every day. New shape, new learning curve."
She wiped her hands on the trousers of her uniform. "I am glad I had the opportunity to work with you, Commander Mathijen. It was a very interesting experience."
She extended her hand in a formal greeting and was shocked to her toes when he grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her in for a kiss that heated her blood. His hands pressed her tightly against him from chest to knees.
He tasted like wild honey and once she got over the shock of his kiss, she returned the embrace with as much enthusiasm as she could muster, until a few snickers caught her ear.
She pressed her hands against his chest and levered back in his embrace. Her lips were damp and swollen, her skin hot and her crotch was wet with her own heat. The slow applause must have reached Commander Mathijen's ears as well, because he reluctantly let her go.
Their crew surrounded them and was watching avidly. The grins on the masculine faces made Gwen a little more than slightly uncomfortable. She raised a trembling hand and patted her immaculately restrained hair. "Well, yes then. Nice working with you. Bye."
She turned and pushed through the crowd as they sighed in disappointment.
Gwen didn't look back, afraid that tears would well and spill. That one kiss was going to have to last through months of training and a lifetime of loneliness.
* * * *
Commander Etien Mathijen watched his true mate scuttle away in a confused haze of lust and embarrassment. The heat pooling in his groin throbbed insistently, telling him to go after her. Mentally, he kicked himself for not filing his request for mating privileges with the little Terran.
He only hoped that when she finished retraining it would not be too late.
